Ukraine deploys drone operators in northern Mali, trains allies in Middle East to counter Russian and Iranian forces

Ukraine's military strategy now includes operations in northern Mali, where 15 drone operators are actively assisting the Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front. These operators are involved in training, configuring, and remotely coordinating drone flights to avoid direct confrontation with Russian forces. The Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist group in Mali, has been receiving support from Kyiv to counter regional threats. In addition to Mali, Ukraine has sent teams to Libya, Sudan, and at least five Middle Eastern countries to train in shooting down Iranian Shahed drones. These efforts are part of a broader campaign to disrupt Russian and Iranian military operations. The goal, as stated by Kyiv, is to exert pressure on Russia through global operations, leveraging drone technology and regional alliances. The sources concur on the deployment of Ukrainian drone operators in Mali and the training initiatives in the Middle East. However, the specific number of countries in the Middle East and the exact nature of the training programs are not fully detailed in the reports.